JDSU introduced its Agile Optical Network (AON) Superblade concept -- all major functions required for optical network transport integrated onto a single blade, significantly reducing size, cost and power requirements for network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) and service providers.
The AON Superblade will include very small blocks of wavelength selective switch (WSS) technology that JDSU has invented called the Nano WSS, erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) technology, and an optical channel monitor technology into a single-slot device. As with existing WSS technology, the Nano WSS can direct traffic in network nodes requiring greater than two dimensions, and provides colorless routing and switching, or the ability to direct wavelengths in several directions instead of in just a single direction.
JDSU is also developing a customized operating system-- called the AON Embedded Operating System - to ensure that AON Superblade seamlessly integrates within network equipment manufacturer's (NEMS) and service provider's unique network environments.
JDSU said its high level of vertical integration will allow for flexibility during the individual design and manufacturing of each optical element.
The company estimates that the new solution could be as much as 50 percent lower in cost compared to the total cost for all of the separate optical components currently used today. The AON Superblade will also be approximately four times smaller because all of the components will be integrated into a single-slot blade, compared to current solutions that can require up to four blades within NEM's systems.
Additional key benefits of the JDSU AON Superblade include:
- Lower cost -- due to a highly consolidated assembly and test process compared to solutions with multiple discrete modules on multiple discrete blades.
- Reduction in optical power loss -- power no longer has to travel through numerous connectors and splices between blades.
- Reduction in operational complexity -- eliminates the need for multiple cards to be manually interconnected, which requires training.
Enhanced monitoring -- includes control software that allows for faster response times to system variances and automated alarm and fault isolation.
JDSU expects to be shipping the single blade solution by the end of calendar year 2008.
.http://www.jdsu.com
